A little light relief for the weekend -

PSYCHEDELIC JOHNS?

Vandalism? HM doesn't think so; there has been a little turbulence in the Hackney community recently  relating to the above two loos. These public conveniences, situated near the town hall, have been targeted by some merry prankster who has provided them with new unsolicited psychadelic door frames. It looks so profesional that many people (though not HM) have been fooled into thinking it's part of the councils regeneration of the nearby town hall square. Needless to say our hapless councilers are complaining that the khazis are grade-two listed buildings and 'their appearance couldn't be altered or changed without permission'. Presumably, if the council had commissioned some noncy artist to do the job for thousands of quids, then it would have been ok. In the meantime the rest of us will be grateful for this added bit of multi-coloured light on our number ones and twos!

Today's big news is the frontpage headline in this week's HACKNEY GAZETTE

'HACKNEY
FOR SALE'

where our not so beloved Council are accused of 'flogging the family silver in a bid to raise £70 million. These people are unbelievable. A leaked document has revealed that they are planning a mass sell-off of council property; which includes  parts of schools, youth and community centres, theatres, medical centres and playgrounds. Apparently, according to the paper a total of 135 properties were listed in the document presented to Hackney Council's regeneration committee - The cash generated by the sales will be used to prop up our councils floundering finances. Amongst other things, they even considered flogging off Hackney City Farm but this was later rejected. News of the sell off comes hot on the heels of  the controversial £86 million sale of land in Hearn Street, Shoreditch to American bankers, Lehman Brothers. . Presumably this is all to make way for even more luxury flats, like the development on the Ballspond Road, where HACKNEYMAN recently applied for the post of 'Armarni-suited concierge' - Who's going to live in these places anyway?

Awaiting post.

Firstly HM spent yesterday, at the rather marvelous, STOKE NEWINGTON FESTIVAL, highlighting Hackney at it's finest. The only really unfortunate thing was the weather, with torrential downpours at the start of the day and the fact that most revelers didn't seem to be aware that the event was also taking place in Clissold Park as well as it's usual venue along Church Street. Even so HM did catch one or two good musical turns including the mighty SOULWINNERS, a real live Northern Soul band, two brothers who call themselves MOSES and a great little R&B band that were probably called MAMA LOOK.

TODAY'S HEADLINES:Old people get payout. BT cough up. HM down £27.70
Expecting some developments from Housing Benefit to arrive in the post but they don't. HM can feel another a.m vigil at Keltan House looming. What does arrive in the post, is some good and bad news. As you know by now, HM's philosophy is to treasure the little morsels of good fortune, while trying to minimise the effects of life's more powerful body blows.
First the good news; a letter from BT, relating to HM's recent battle with every public telephone between Islington and Holborn, whilst attempting to make an important call - In the end HM had pleaded with the operator, parting with many personal details but still receiving no joy.
The letter from BT says, "I was sorry to hear you lost £0.20 recently while trying to make a call from a BT payphone". Well it's nice to have personal touch and it goes on "I have enclosed a BT phonecard to the value of £0.50 to replace the money that you lost. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused". This is from a girl called Debbie and HM wonders if she's single, having fallen for her kind soul already and already planning a further BT sting, where a claim for a lost £1.00 coin might be made. So far this morning - 30p in profit! It doesn't stay that way for long though...
The next letter is from the Halifax Building Society with whom, once upon a time HM had a very healthy account indeed. So much so that he would help the more needy, thinking quite rightly as it turns out, eh? That there but for the grace of god (if there is one) go he.. HM likes to think that this philanthropic side of his nature manifested itself in many ways but in the case of the Halifax it is a standing order to Help The Aged for £10.00. They inform HM that they cannot pay the standing order - reasonable, because there is certainly no dosh in the account but that they were going to take £28.00!!!! out of the account to cover the costs of dealing with the failed standing order. This is a blow, making today's theoretical balance sheet - £27.70, just for wanting to help the crinklies. No wonder HM finds life hard. Might try and ring Debbie and sting BT for a 2 quid coin!